Slower shifting than the title implies, Seven Seconds TV collection on Netflix is an clever, tense crime drama centered on the cover-up of a success and run accident involving a New Jersey policeman. It’s the form of present police procedural followers devour like a bathtub of buttered popcorn. Well acted, directed, and filmed, Seven Seconds can also be heavy handed, with ironic contrasts and private turmoil at each flip. Unfortunately, the shortage of subtlety dulls the emotional influence of this in any other case binge-worthy thriller.
Pete Jablonski (Beau Knapp, proper) is new to the narcotics squad, recruited by Mike DiAngelo (David Lyons) for unknown causes. Driving whereas distracted – his spouse simply admitted to the hospital – Jablonski hits one thing, then discovers a bicycle beneath the automobile. He doesn’t see the child, Brandon, that was driving, however there’s blood on a close-by snowbank. DiAngelo and the remainder of his staff arrive on the scene and persuade Jablonski to depart. A white cop killing a black child appears to be like dangerous for the Jersey City police division. A canopy-up begins.
The case lands within the lap of assistant prosecutor KJ Harper, a heavy drinker and second price lawyer. She’s the right alternative for botching the investigation and ensuring the reality stays buried. Harper is performed by Clare-Hope Ashitey from Suspects, one among our favourite younger British actors, in a efficiency successfully understated with a plausible American accent.
Another new cop within the precinct, Joe Rinaldi (Michael Mosley, supporting actor from numerous reveals), nick-named Fish, types the opposite half of the investigative staff. Fish is all smart cracks and gum smacking, giving off a less-than-serious aura. It seems Jablonski is protected, that’s till a few uncommon particulars catch Harper’s eye.
From the primary episode, a lot of Seven Seconds is clear and predictable. A white teen will get assist from a black trainer discovering her little brother, however on returning dwelling, the trainer finds her personal son is lacking. A vet returns from abroad, however can’t discover work. As one youngster dies, one other is born, and so forth. Plenty of twists and turns occur alongside the best way, none of them (save for one or two) significantly shocking.
Fortunately, the staff of Harper and Fish (proper) entertain as they wrestle in opposition to the system, a pair of Davids preventing Goliath. We pull for them, together with Brandon’s dad (Russell Hornsby) and his pal, Kadeuce (Corey Champagne). Brandon’s mother, Latrice, stays misplaced in anguish and anger, and Regina King does nicely with the position, not eliciting extreme sympathy from anybody. There aren’t any saints on this TV collection.
The final quarter of Seven Seconds abruptly turns right into a courtroom drama. Like most authorized TV collection, the proceedings are sometimes lower than convincing. To its credit score, the story sidesteps an anticipated John Grisham film, Hollywood-style ending.
There’s way more to the collection. It performs out in a novel-like arc, with tangents and aspect tales. Though many characters match stereotypes, Seven Seconds spends time giving them character and depth. Perhaps, an excessive amount of time. By the top, it’s like we’ve slogged by means of a month of latest headline information tales with out gaining any new perception.
All ten episodes of Seven Seconds TV collection are on Netflix. Veena Sud, finest recognized for The Killing, created the collection. Despite numerous faults, we eagerly watched all over.